4 burning questions the Redskins must answer before Week 1
Who will quarterback the Redskins in 2019 and beyond?
Alex Smith left the team’s Week 11 matchup early with a gruesome leg injury that ended not only his season, but quite possibly his playing career. The Smith family has requested privacy throughout Alex’s recovery, and rightfully so. However, at some point, the Redskins need to figure out where Smith is at, in terms of his recovery, and they really need to begin considering alternative options under center for the immediate future.
Smith was in the hospital for weeks after his injury, undergoing multiple surgeries to clean up an infection in his leg that resulted from the initial surgery. These surgeries included going in and removing tissue in hopes to clear up infection.
More on #Redskins QB Alex Smith: He’s had several procedures, sources say, and @MikeGarafolo adds they are removing tissue to clear the infection. Smith still approaches this with optimism about playing. Note: His hospital room was next to Colt McCoy’s during McCoy’s 1-night stay
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 6, 2018
Smith has earned every right to his privacy during the recovery process from all but one group of people: the decision makers for the Redskins. Smith made his first public appearance Monday at the Washington Wizards game, where he was seen sporting a brace on his leg screwed directly into his bone. Dr. David Chao, an orthopedic surgeon who spent 17 years in the NFL, had this to say, per the San Diego Tribune: “At this point, there is no way he will be ready for the start of the coming season. In fact, he may never be able to play.” This changes everything for Washington.
The Redskins, who are tight salary cap wise, have little room to go out and spend starter money to answer their need under center, meaning that it will likely end up being backup Colt McCoy, who also suffered a broken leg in Washington’s Thanksgiving game against the division-winning Cowboys, as the starter. He’s followed on the list of possibilities by Josh Johnson, who went from sit-ups in his living room to fan favorite in a matter of weeks. After him? An early round pick in April as the man of the future.
Reports are saying the Washington Redskins have interest in Duke’s Daniel Jones. The team could look to move up in order to land the strong-armed signal caller, and make him the team’s franchise passer of the future in April’s draft.
Washington must figure out who will be the signal caller going forward in 2019, and they need to take a realistic look at what Smith’s future holds. They gave up assets and signed Smith to a lucrative deal that could limit their ability to build via free agency for a few seasons. Pride must be set side by Bruce Allen, who is solely tied to the Smith acquisition, and make the responsible decision going forward. However, whatever way they decide to go at quarterback may be dependent on the man in charge.